John Mellencamp to Headline Austin Fundraiser

For a guy whose longtime nickname is 'Little Bastard,' John Mellencamp sure can be a softie when it comes to the right cause -- or if he's approached by famous pals like, say, actor Matthew McConaughey, recording artist Jack Ingram, and University of Texas football coach Mack Brown.

That trio, going by the snappy sobriquet Mack, Jack & McConaughey, is hosting a fundraising gala in Austin on April 11, and they've nabbed Mellencamp as their headlining act. As part of the organization's ongoing efforts to "support organizations that positively impact the lives of children from across the country," they're hosting what they promise will be "celebrity-filled, one-of-a-kind events" across the city that weekend. (Tickets are available now.)

"John is one of my all-time favorite musicians and a man I call a friend," enthused a presumably shirtless McConaughey. "He’s someone who has put his best foot forward to help others in need and I am honored and proud to have him perform at this event."

Mellencamp's Austin appearance comes less than a month after the scheduled release of 'Ghost Brothers of Darkland County,' the star-studded LP he's recorded in support of the Broadway-bound musical he's been co-writing with Stephen King for over a decade. No word yet on whether Mellencamp intends to bring any of the record's guest stars (which include Sheryl Crow and Elvis Costello) to the event, but it would certainly go a long way toward helping Mack, Jack & McConaughey live up to that whole "celebrity-filled" thing.